The Fifth Shanghai International Industry Fair, China's most comprehensive industrial exhibition, opened yesterday at Shanghai New International Expo Center, with the equipment manufacturing industry under the spotlight.

The fair, which will end next Tuesday, is expected to attract 10,000 industry visitors from home and abroad.

Yang Liwei, China's first astronaut, may be one of them. He is expected to visit Shanghai in the coming days, according to Shanghai government spokeswoman Jiao Yang, who also said that his schedule in Shanghai is still under planning. However, Shenzhou V's return module will be displayed at the fair on Sunday.

Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Liangyu yesterday visited the fair.

"The showcase of advanced technologies from equipment manufacturing industry is eye-opening," said Chen.

More than 1,100 companies and institutes are expected to attend the fair this year, including 317 overseas companies.